The Great Balmain Model-Mane Switcheroo

PARIS — Forget a velvet rope: The Balmain show has become such a magnet for fans and paparazzi that French police put up cordons and blockades on Thursday afternoon to control the chaos outside the Hôtel Potocki, a former nobleman’s palace a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées.

Inside, the opulent building was packed with rich red carpets, gold trompe l’oeil, mirrored walls and long lines of gargantuan chandeliers, in keeping with the maximalist, more-is-more aesthetic of Balmain. Amid the crowds sat Kris Jenner, just off the plane from Los Angeles, waiting patiently for the show to begin.

Given the devotion shown by her tribe of daughters to the designs of the Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, it was not a surprise to see her there.

”I always come to Paris to support Kendall when she walks Balmain,” Ms. Jenner said, shimmering in the front row in a caramel sequin bandage dress and fur. “She works so hard. All my children do. We have a lot of traditions when we spend time together here in the city. Tonight will be a lot of fun.”

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Kris Jenner with Kanye West in the front row at the Balmain show.CreditElizabeth Paton/The New York Times

Ms. Jenner was in a more chipper mood than was Kanye West, who sat down next to her as the lights dimmed. (He was wearing a pearl-covered jacket that bore a striking resemblance to his mother-in-law’s outfit.) As the paparazzi snapped away, he kept his face shielded by a hoodie. Both were in Balmain, of course.

An orchestra played a medley of hits from the likes of Madonna, Queen, Kate Bush and Savage Garden (and ending with “Under Pressure,” the song by David Bowie and Queen that has been ubiquitous this season). But it could not drown out the gasps as the first model came down the runway.

Kendall Jenner, the brunette model of the moment, in power-blue thigh-high boots and a furry minidress, had gone completely blonde. (A suddenly amused Mr. West applauded as she walked by.)

Moments later, another surprise, as Ms. Jenner’s best friend and fellow tween queen, the blonde model Gigi Hadid, strode along the catwalk — all white tassels, black velvet and pearls — as a brunette.

Behold, the great Balmain model-mane switcheroo!

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Karlie Kloss walking in the Balmain show.CreditValerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times

Social media exploded (were they wigs or just extensions?), but no time to focus on that. The show must go on, which meant a line of star troops from the Balmain model army in lashings of ruffles and fringe, including Karlie Kloss, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Donaldson, Jourdan Dunn and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley — all, too, with unexpected hair hues.